Kindergärtners are learning how to use MicroWorlds Jr. (MW.) MW is a LOGO-based animation tool for pre-readers, which can be used to control or program objects in simple interactive projects. They are spending the first part of the year learning how to use the drawing tools in MW. Books such as Harold and the Purple Crayon help inspire students to use MW to draw. Learning how to use the computer to draw is one of the many ways that students at TCS will learn to use technology as a tool for expressing themselves.
3/2011
Students have learned several new commands as well as how to draw their own costume for a turtle. Inspired by the book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, students are animating a scene where their favorite food is falling from the sky.
2/2011
Students are busy commanding turtles to draw polygons, and then cloning their already programmed turtles.
1/2011
Students are learning how to be turtle commanders!!!
In the screenshot below you can see that I have opened up a turtle's backpack and placed commands in it that instruct the turtle to put its' pen down, draw a different color line for each step, wait for 2 ticks, take a step -- and to do that over and over again. These are the commands that kindergarten students are enthusiastically learning how to use.
11/8/2010 Students are continuing to use the drawing tools in MW Jr. As they do so, they are improving their ability to control the mouse and to learn to select the tool that they want to use. Here is a screenshot of the drawing center in MW Jr. so that you can see some of the many choices they make as they use this software.
Students drew themselves as Native Americans, using the Native American names they chose for themselves.
Rainbow Girl
Shooting Star
Star Rock
Super Penguin
Red Fox
Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting Starry Night, students used the paint can, pencil and spray paint tools in MW to create an interpretation of Starry Night. Here are several examples of their work: Students were asked to draw something that makes them happy. My mom hugging me. Me and a raccoon. My mom sewing my teddy bear.
We are using songs that they know and books that they have read as inspiration for their drawings.
3/2011
Students have learned several new commands as well as how to draw their own costume for a turtle. Inspired by the book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, students are animating a scene where their favorite food is falling from the sky.
2/2011
Students are busy commanding turtles to draw polygons, and then cloning their already programmed turtles.
1/2011
Students are learning how to be turtle commanders!!!
In the screenshot below you can see that I have opened up a turtle's backpack and placed commands in it that instruct the turtle to put its' pen down, draw a different color line for each step, wait for 2 ticks, take a step -- and to do that over and over again. These are the commands that kindergarten students are enthusiastically learning how to use.
11/8/2010
Students are continuing to use the drawing tools in MW Jr. As they do so, they are improving their ability to control the mouse and to learn to select the tool that they want to use. Here is a screenshot of the drawing center in MW Jr. so that you can see some of the many choices they make as they use this software.
Students drew themselves as Native Americans, using the Native American names they chose for themselves.
Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting Starry Night, students used the paint can, pencil and spray paint tools in MW to create an interpretation of Starry Night. Here are several examples of their work:
Students were asked to draw something that makes them happy.
We are using songs that they know and books that they have read as inspiration for their drawings.
If you are interested in learning more about MW or purchasing it for your child to use at home follow this link:
http://www.microworlds.com/solutions/mwjunior.html